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sph · Jan 19, 2008, 12:09 PM

In reviewing the specs for the new Macbook Air there are a few things that disturb me, but I can live with most of them. However there are a few I still dont understand. The fact that there is no optical drive I think I can live with. The thinner size is worth the compromise, especially since the new Remote Disk is pretty cool (although as a business traveller I dont see how that will help me).

But there seems to be some other sacrifices that are not as understandable. For one...it doesnt have stereo speakers?? Only mono? Huh????

Any then there's the audio out jack....its Analog!!! Why??? Wheres the digital?

Here are the full specs:

Macworld | The MacBook Air: What you need to know

mduell · Jan 19, 2008, 07:14 PM

Yes, there's only one speaker. Do you really listen to laptop speakers that much? I don't, because they all sound pretty bad.

Yes, the port is analog only, not the dual analog/digital ports that the other Macs have.

analogika · Jan 20, 2008, 05:14 AM

digital requires extra chips and a light, and the connector housing's probably a little boxier than a simple analog jack.

jogi · Jan 20, 2008, 06:39 AM

Originally Posted by mduell

Yes, there's only one speaker. Do you really listen to laptop speakers that much? I don't, because they all sound pretty bad.

Yes, the port is analog only, not the dual analog/digital ports that the other Macs have.

Well... The powerbooks g4 12" were quite decent, if you wanted to listen to music on your bed... Same for the Macbook and the Pro's..

But a mono speaker is also a downgrade... Again. It seems that the Air is more and more of a disappointment from my perspective.

MacosNerd · Jan 20, 2008, 06:51 AM

So don't buy one, it may not be a good fit for you but that doesn't mean its not a good fit for everyone.

analogika · Jan 20, 2008, 08:17 AM

yep.

It looks like you're not the target demographic.

mdc · Jan 20, 2008, 08:32 AM

If I remember correctly they put in an extra speaker on the PowerBook 12", but that wasn't a thin laptop (1.18")

jogi · Jan 20, 2008, 08:36 AM

but it was a small laptop...

analogika · Jan 20, 2008, 08:37 AM

Yep. The 12" Powerbook had two tweeters facing towards the back of the machine (reflecting off the screen), and a little mid-range speaker under the keyboard (around the "T" key area).

It was pretty thick, though.

My MacBook is sleeker - though a little wider.

MacosNerd · Jan 20, 2008, 08:50 AM

Originally Posted by jogi

but it was a small laptop...

It was and the MBA is even smaller.

Cadaver · Jan 20, 2008, 09:21 AM

The 12" PowerBook G4 had a few advantages over the iBooks of the same generation:
• DVI video-out versus analog-only on the iBooks
• Supported extended desktop on the video-out instead of mirror-only (though there was a hack)
• Better (slightly) graphics chip with more VRAM than in the iBooks
• Slightly smaller enclosure
• "Professional-looking" aluminum case

The 12" PBG4 had a notoriously bad screen (dimmer than the iBooks). I have one and I agree.

When you look at these, you'll see that some of these are valid for the MacBooks:
• DVI out with extended desktop
• Bright, vivid screen
• Thinner than the 12" PBG4
• "Professional-looking" black case

Personally, I think the MacBook makes a good replacement for the 12" PBG4. The MacBook Air is a whole different segment, and Apple hasn't had a machine in the class since the PowerBook 2400c, which also had an external (floppy) drive and a mono speaker.